A bill signed last week by President Clinton will help small businesses protect themselves against floods,
hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The Disaster Mitigation Pilot Program, a four-year U.S. Small Business Administration pilot program, provides up to
$50,000 in loans to small business owners whose communities are prone to such disasters. Businesses located in the 118
cities participating in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's "Project Impact" will be eligible for the loans
beginning in October 1999. They can use the funds to take preventative measures against damage, such as installing
fireproof roof shingles or hurricane shutters.

"The cost of rebuilding after disasters continues to rise, and many small business owners never recover," says Aida
Alvarez, administrator of the SBA, in a release. "Now these entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to protect their
investment before a disaster strikes."